Sailfish Women's Basketball Team to Open Season at Baylor

Date:August 6, 2013

Carlos Palacio

Boderick Johnson

The Sailfish women's basketball team will have a special opportunity to open the 2013-14 season with an exhibition contest against perennial NCAA Division I power Baylor University in the first action of the season for both programs on Oct. 30 in Waco, Texas.

The Lady Bears are coming off another historic season in which they finished 34-2 while finishing their postseason run with a loss to Louisville in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Led by National Player of the Year and future WNBA Draft No. 1 pick Brittney Griner, the Lady Bears were upset by the fifth-seeded Cardinals in a shocking 82-81 defeat as BU sought a second consecutive national title.

Led by veteran head coach Kim Mulkey, who enters her 13th season on the bench, the Lady Bears will have at least one familiar face likely suiting up against the Sailfish in sophomore guard Niya Johnson.

The daughter of Sailfish assistant coach Boderick Johnson, Niya Johnson and her teammates will look to shake off the offseason rust against a young PBA squad that includes a number of fresh faces on its roster.

Under the leadership of second-year head coach Carlos Palacio, the Fish will begin what looks to be a challenging schedule by taking on their biggest and toughest opponent right out of the gate.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to play Baylor and compete against one of the premiere programs in the country," Palacio said. "Kim Mulkey and her staff have set a standard in women's basketball that all of us are trying to achieve. The experience to play at the Ferrell Center in front of Baylor's fans will prepare our kids to compete in an environment that will challenge them to grow into a cohesive unit."

In addition to hosting the Sailfish on Oct. 30, the Lady Bears also will welcome Oklahoma City University for another exhibition contest on Nov. 5 before diving into their Division I schedule.

Palm Beach Atlantic will host Davenport (Mich.) University and take on Florida International University in two other exhibition contests during the season.

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